Paul,  an  Example  and  Proof  of  the  peculiar  excellence 
and  usefulness  of  the  Missionary  Character. 


A 


DISCOURSE, 

DELIVERED  IX  HARTFORD,  CONX.  SEPT.  1J,  1824. 


AT  THE 


jpiftrenth  Annual  fuming 

OF  THE 


AMERICAN  BOARD  OF  COMMISSIONERS 


FOR 

FOREIGN  MISSIONS. 


BY  SAMUEL  AUSTIN,  D.  D. 


BOSTON: 

PRINTED  BY  CBOCKBR  AND  BRKWSTIH, 
No.  50,  Coinbill. 


Btscouvse. 


GAL.  i,  15,  16. 

BUT  WHEN  IT  PLEASED  GOD,  WHO  SEPARATED  ME  FROM  MY  MOTHER'S 
WOMB,  AND  CALLED  ME  BY  HIS  GRACE,  TO  REVEAL  HIS  SON  IN  ME, 
THAT  I MIGHT  PREACH  HIM  AMONG  THE  HEATHEN,  IMMEDIATELY 
I CONFERRED  NOT  WITH  FLESH  AND  BLOOD. 

The  first  propagation  of  the  Gospel,  with  all  the 
saving  influences  that  attended  it,  was  upon  a mis- 
sionary system.  The  labors  of  Christ  himself  were, 
in  fact,  of  a missionary  character.  He  appeared 
among  men,  not  to  do  his  own  will,  but  that  of  the 
Father  who  sent  him.  During  his  ministry,  and 
considerably  anterior  to  his  crucifixion,  he  ordained 
twelve,  who  were  called  apostles,  whose  names  are 
particularly  mentioned  in  the  Gospels,  to  be  the 
chief  instrumental  agents  in  spreading  the  triumphs 
of  his  power  and  grace  through  the  world. 

Afterwards  he  appointed  seventy,  whom  he  sent 
abroad  through  the  cities  and  villages  of  Judea  to 


4 


preach  the  Gospel  of  the  kingdom,  and  to  perform 
miraculous  works  in  his  name.  After  his  resurrec- 
tion, and  before  he  left  the  world,  having  more 
largely  instructed  the  apostles,  in  regard  to  the 
glory  of  his  person,  the  spiritual  nature  of  his  king- 
dom, the  end  of  his  sufferings,  his  competency  and 
determination  to  support  them  in  the  trying  service 
to  which  he  was  separating  them,  the  opposition 
from  the  world  they  must  calculate  to  meet,  and 
the  certain  success  which  should  attend  this  unpre- 
cedented and  most  interesting  enterprise,  he  formally 
commissioned  them  in  this  memorable  injunction, 
11  Go  ye  into  all  the  world , and  preach  the  Gospel 
to  every  creature .”  And  we  are  told,  that,  having 
received  this  charge,  seen  him  ascend  into  heaven, 
and  been  made  partakers  in  the  promised  gifts  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  they  went  forth  and  preached 
every  where,  the  Lord  working  with  them,  and 
confirming  the  word  by  signs  following. 

Paul  was  subsequently  converted,  in  an  extraor- 
dinary manner,  and  united  to  this  college  of  mission- 
aries. He  was  to  act  in  concert  with  them.  His 
designation,  however,  was  somewhat  peculiar.  He 
was  eminently  a missionary  to  the  heathen.  AVhile 
their  labors  were  chiefly  devoted  to  those  who 
belonged  to  the  circumcision,  his  were  especially 
given  to  the  uncircumcision.  To  him  the  mystery, 
which  had  been  hid  for  ages,  that  tin-  Gentiles 
should  be  fellow-heirs,  and  of  the  same  body  with 
the  believing  Jews,  was  particularly  revealed.  To 


5 


him,  lie  tells  us,  “was  this  grace  given,  that  he 
should  preach  among  the  Gentiles  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ.”  And  to  the  believers  at  home  he 
observes,  “I  am  debtor,  both  to  the  Greeks  and 
to  the  Barbarians;  both  to  the  wise  and  to  the 
unwise;  so,  as  much  as  in  me  is,  1 am  ready  to 
preach  the  Gospel  to  you,  who  are  at  Rome  also.” 

The  world  was  his  field  of  labor,  and  the  world 
he  traversed.  We  find  him  in  Arabia,  Judea,  Syria, 
the  Lesser  Asia,  Macedonia,  Greece,  Ulyricum, 
Italy,  and  directing  his  course  to  the  most  western 
parts  of  Europe.  We  have  a more  particular 
account  of  this  apostle  than  of  any  other.  His 
labors  and  his  success  seem  to  have  been  greater 
than  those  of  the  other  apostles;  though  they  were 
undoubtedly  faithful  to  their  charge.  The  history 
of  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  is  rather  a history  of  his 
acts.  We  have  a larger  collection  of  his  epistolary 
writings,  than  of  all  the  other  apostles.  In  short, 
he  stands  before  us  the  most  eminent,  laborious, 
and  efficient  of  all  the  missionaries  of  the  cross,  and 
the  very  best  mere  human  model  of  the  missionary 
character.  In  this  light,  my  brethren,  judging  it 
to  be  sufficiently  appropriate  to  the  present  exercise, 
I propose,  with  divine  assistance,  to  set  before  you 
the  most  prominent  features  in  the  character  of 
Paul. 

I must  apprise  you,  however,  that  I intend  to 
select  those  things  only  in  this  eminent  missionary, 
which,  in  their  nature,  are  to  be  looked  for  in  all 


6 


Christian  missionaries,  and  which,  for  aught  that 
appears,  might,  to  an  equal  degree,  be  possessed  by 
them. 

I shall  therefore  leave  out  of  the  account,  if  he 
possessed  them,  as  some  imagine  that  he  did,  such 
remarkable  talents  as  he  seemed  to  display,  his 
inspiration,  the  miraculous  gifts  and  powers  with 
which  he  was  favored,  and  the  very  unusual  conso- 
lations which  were,  at  times,  imparted  to  him. 

I shall  be  excused,  if  any  can  think  it  objection- 
able, for  making  pretty  copious  quotations  from  the 
Scriptures  of  the  New  Testament.  For  this  sure 
Record  is  at  once  the  light  by  which  we  are  to  be 
guided,  and  the  authority  on  which  our  conclusions 
must  rest. 

1.  Let  us  begin  with  the  commencement  of  his 
missionary  career,  and  mark  the  submission,  the 
self-denial,  the  decision,  and  the  promptitude,  with 
which  he  devotes  himself  to  this  holy  service. 

This  is  set  distinctly  before  us  in  the  text,  and  is 
more  fully  illustrated  in  other  parts  of  the  New 
Testament  scriptures.  “But,  when  it  pleased  God, 
who  separated  me  from  my  mother’s  womb,  and 
called  me  by  his  grace,  to  reveal  his  Son  in  me, 
that  1 might  preach  him  among  the  heathen, 
immediately  / conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood.’’'1 
To  estimate  his  character,  in  this  incipient  stage  of 
its  formation,  with  any  tolerable  justness,  we  ought 
to  consider  what  great  temporal  sacrifices  lit'  was 
now  called  to  make.  All  that  he  had  been,  as  a 


7 


mail  of  uncommon  popularity,  among  the  most 
respectable  of  the  Jews;  all  the  alliances,  he  had 
formed  and  enjoyed;  all  the  ties  of  consanguinity 
and  friendship,  that  twined  about  his  heart,  which 
probably  were  as  strong  in  him  as  in  other  men;  all 
the  prospects  of  honor  and  emolument,  which  were 
before  him;  and,  what  is  much  more,  all  the  expec- 
tations of  immortal  rewards,  which  he  had  thought 
himself  fully  warranted  to  entertain,  as  a strict  and 
conscientious  Pharisee,  must  be  forever  relinquished. 

How  far  the  then  future  scenes  of  his  labor  and 
sufferings  were  disclosed  to  him,  we  cannot  say. 
But  he  certainly  well  understood  the  offence  of  the 
cross;  for  he  had  been  the  perpetrator  of  the  most 
horrid  cruelties  in  his  wrath  against  it.  The  Lord 
said  of  him  to  Ananias,  “For  he  is  a chosen  vessel 
unto  me,  to  bear  my  name  before  the  Gentiles,  and 
kings,  and  the  children  of  Israel.  For  I will  shew 
him  how  great  things  he  must  suffer  for  my  name’s 
sake.”  He  knew  the  embittered  hostility  of  his 
Jewish  brethren  against  Christ,  whom  they  had 
crucified  as  a vile  impostor.  He  knev/  that  the 
Gentiles  could  hardly  endure  the  sight  of  a Jew; 
and  that  the  devotees  of  a sensual  and  inveterate 
idolatry,  the  priest  and  the  magistrate,  the  high  and 
the  low,  would  be  exasperated  at  the  attempt  to 
spread  a doctrine  so  spiritual,  so  peculiar,  so  unsocial 
and  exclusive,  as  that  of  Christ  and  him  crucified. 

Now,  mark  his  conduct.  He  tears  from  his  heart, 
in  a moment,  all  these  ties  of  nature  and  acquaint- 


8 


anee.  He  sacrifices  upon  the  altar  of  his  faith  all 
these  temporal  interests.  He  denies  himself  in  all 
that  he  had  been,  and  had  been  seeking.  He  gives 
up  family,  country,  and  the  immortal  hopes  he  had 
so  fondly  cherished.  In  one  word,  he  forsakes  all. 
He  takes  up  the  cross  with  the  most  serious  deter- 
mination to  bear  it,  heavy  as  it  might  be,  through 
the  residue  of  his  days  on  earth.  He  counts  the 
cost,  and  readily  pays  it  down.  Thou  didst  call, 
said  he,  Lord,  and  here  I am.  Tell  me  what  thou 
wouldst  have  me  to  do,  and  I do  it.  Tell  me  where 
thou  wouldst  have  me  to  go,  and  I go.  Tell  me 
what  thou  wouldst  have  me  suffer,  and  I suffer  it; 
be  it  hunger,  thirst,  cold,  nakedness,  stripes,  impri- 
sonment, or  death,  in  the  most  frightful  forms. 
Welcome  all,  if  I may  but  have  grace  to  be  faithful. 
Not  a Pharisee,  or  Rabbi,  or  relative,  shall  be  his 
adviser.  “I  conferred  not  with  llesh  and  blood. ” 
Henceforth  he  knows  no  man  after  the  flesh.  The 
evidence  and  the  obligation  were  distinctly  before 
him.  And  the  obligation  must  be  discharged. 
Said  Luther,  when  his  friends  would  dissuade  him 
from  appearing  before  the  German  Diet,  on  account 
of  the  great  personal  hazards  which  would  attend 
it,  “I  would  go  to  Spires,  if  there  were  as  many 
devils  in  the  city,  as  there  are  tiles  upon  the 
houses.”  Paul  enters  upon  his  mission  with  an 
undelaying  promptitude.  “ Immediate /;/.  I conferred 
not.”  He  does  not  hesitate,  as  if  he  were  but  half 
resolved.  He  does  not  spend  months  in  a super- 


9 


fluous  preparation,  as  though  he  was  going  to  be  a 
mere  traveller;  as  though  there  were  no  souls 
perishing,  and  it  were  a matter  of  little  importance, 
after  all,  whether  the  Gospel  be  preached,  lie  does 
not  wait  for  associates,  or  a pleasanter  sky.  The 
service  appointed  him  he  embraced  as  a privilege, 
as  a signal  honor,  of  which  he  was  infinitely  unwor- 
thy, not  as  a hard  and  tedious  business,  which, 
though  unwelcome,  must  be  performed.  The  object 
before  him  was  exactly  suited  to  the  strong  benevo- 
lence of  his  heart.  It  was  the  greatest  and  noblest 
that  ever  wrought  upon  the  energies  of  the  human 
mind.  It  was  such  to  him;  and  lie  was  eager  to 
be  in  his  work. 

Thus,  at  the  outset,  through  the  cross  of  Christ, 
the  world  was  crucified  to  him,  and  he  to  the  world. 
The  anchor  of  his  hope  was  cast  within  the  vail, 
and  it  drew  him  strongly  to  itself.  But  he  did  not 
wish  to  arrive  there,  before  he  had  faithfully  per- 
formed the  service  assigned  him. 

2.  Let  us  mark  the  steadfastness  of  his  purpose, 
and  his  inflexible  perseverance  in  his  missionary 
labors,  to  the  very  end  of  his  life;  which  was 
so  prolonged  that  he  styled  himself,  “Paul  the 
aged.” 

“We  are  not,”  says  he,  “of  them  who  draw  back 
unto  perdition;  but  of  them  that  believe  to  the 
saving  of  the  soul.”  To  the  elders  of  the  Ephesian 
Church  he  says,  “And  now,  behold,  I go  bound  in 
the  spirit  unto  Jerusalem,  not  knowing  the  things 
2 


10 


that  shall  befal  me  there;  save  that  the  Holy  Ghost 
vvitnesseth  in  every  city,  saying,  that  bonds  and 
afflictions  abide  me.  But  none  of  these  things 
move  me;  neither  count  I my  life  dear  unto  myself, 
so  that  I might  finish  my  course  with  joy,  and  the 
ministry  which  I have  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
to  testify  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God.”  To 
the  Philippians  he  says,  “Brethren,  I count  not 
myself  to  have  apprehended:  but  this  one  thing  I 
do;  forgetting  the  things  which  are  behind,  and 
reaching  forward  to  those  things  which  are  before, 
I press  towards  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high 
calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.”  Just  at  the  close 
of  life,  and  in  the  most  serious  review  of  the  past, 
he  says  “I  am  now  ready  to  be  offered,  and  the 
time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand.  1 have  fought  a 
good  fight;  I have  finished  my  course;  I have  kept 
the  faith.  Henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a 
crown  of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  right- 
eous judge,  shall  give  me  at  that  day.”  We  discern 
his  resolution  to  be  shaken  in  no  instance.  We 
perceive  no  symptom  of  yielding  the  struggle  to  the 
demands  of  the  adversary;  no  retreat  from  the  post 
which  circumstances  required  him  to  occupy;  no 
regrets  in  the  consideration  of  the  choice  he  had 
made;  no  departure  from  the  proper  course  of  his 
missionary  duty.  Dangers  did  not  appal  him. 
Contradictions  did  not  abash  him.  The  menaces 
of  authority  did  not  stop  his  mouth,  nor  diminish  his 
efforts.  He  says,  “Necessity  is  laid  upon  me.  Yea, 
woe  is  unto  me,  if  I preach  not  the  Gospel.” 


11 


3.  We  notice  the  ardor  of  his  pious  affections, 
and  the  tenderness  of  those  affections. 

Paul  was,  in  a high  degree,  and  with  a remark- 
able uniformity,  an  affectionate  man;  affectionate  1 
mean,  in  regard  to  spiritual  objects,  and  the  moral 
condition  of  men.  His  benevolence  was  expansive 
as  the  world,  embracing  Jews  and  Gentiles,  of 
every  rank,  and  was  too  generous  and  devoted  to 
be  checked  by  provocation,  or  straitened  by  partial 
considerations.  It  fastened  upon  its  object  with  a 
vehement  desire.  This  we  learn  partly  from  what 
he  did,  and  very  fully  from  the  strong  language  he 
uses.  “Out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart  the 
mouth  speaketh.”  His  language  has  in  it  indeed 
the  clearest  evidence  of  being  from  the  abundance 
of  the  heart.  It  shews  that  he  loses  himself,  in  the 
strong  current  of  his  affection  towards  others. 
Towards  Christ,  his  ever-beloved  master,  how 
strong  they  were!  I will  quote  to  you  but  a single 
passage,  in  reference  to  him.  “But  what  was  gain 
to  me  I counted  loss  for  Christ;  yea,  doubtless,  and 
I count  all  things  but  loss,  for  the  excellency  of  the 
knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus,  my  Lord;  for  whom  I 
have  suffered  the  loss  of  all  things,  and  do  count 
them  but  dung  that  I may  win  Christ,  and  be  found 
in  him,  not  having  my  own  righteousness  which  is 
of  the  law,  but  that  which  is  through  the  faith  of 
Christ — that  I may  know  him,  and  the  power  of 
his  resurrection  and  the  fellowship  of  his  sufferings, 
being  made  conformable  unto  his  death.5’  Towards 


12 


his  brethren  in  Christ,  to  the  conversion  of  many  of 
whom  he  had  been  directly  instrumental,  he  seems 
to  be  all  love.  “So,  being  affectionately  desirous 
of  you,  we  were  willing  to  have  imparted  unto  you, 
not  the  Gospel  of  God  only,  but  also  our  own  souls, 
because  ye  were  dear  unto  us — But  we,  brethren, 
being  taken  from  you  for  a short  time,  in  presence, 
not  in  heart,  endeavored  the  more  abundantly  to 
see  your  face  with  great  desire — For  what  is  our 
hope,  or  joy,  or  crown  of  rejoicing?  Are  not  even 
ye  in  the  presence  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  at  his 
coming?  For  ye  are  our  glory  and  joy — Ve  are  in 
our  hearts  to  die  and  live  with  you.” 

Does  he  affirm  correctly  of  himself,  when  he 
appeals  to  the  Elders  of  the  Church  of  Fphesus  as 
witnesses  of  the  deep  interest  he  took  in  the  ever- 
lasting welfare  of  those,  to  whom  his  labors  extended 
in  that  city?  We  cannot  doubt  it.  His  words  are, 
“Therefore  watch,  and  remember,  that,  by  the 
space  of  three  years,  I ceased  not  to  warn  every 
one  night  and  day  with  tears.” 

To  the  Corinthians,  some  of  whom,  from  the 
invidious  insinuations  of  false  apostles,  had  treated 
him  very  wrongfully,  he  most  pathetically  says,  “1 
seek  not  yours,  but  you;  and  I will  very  gladly 
spend  and  be  spent  for  you,  though  the  more 
abundantly  1 love  you,  the  less  I be  loved.” 

Very  strongly  did  his  benevolence  go  forth 
towards  the  unbelieving  Jews,  who  were  his  breth- 
ren according  to  the  flesh,  the  most  of  whom,  at 


13 


least,  were  his  embittered  persecutors.  “I  say  the 
truth  in  Christ:  I lie  not;  my  conscience  also 
bearing  me  witness  in  the  Iloly  Ghost,  that  1 have 
great  heaviness  and  continual  sorrow  in  my  heart; 
for  1 could  wish  that  myself  were  accursed  from 
Christ  for  my  brethren,  my  kinsmen  according  to 
the  flesh.”  However  criticism  may  dispose  of  this 
passage,  it  certainly  expressed  very  strong  benevo- 
lence towards  this  description  of  people;  a benevo- 
lence that  could  rest  in  nothing  short  of  their  eternal 
salvation,  which  perhaps  is  all  that  it  is  important 
that  we  should  get  from  it.  In  perfect  coincidence 
with  this  passage,  is  the  first  verse  of  the  following 
chapter.  “Brethren,  my  heart’s  desire  and  prayer 
to  God  for  Israel  is,  that  they  may  be  saved.” 
Thus  the  ardor  of  holy  affection,  in  all  the  modifi- 
cations and  towards  all  the  objects  of  it,  wrought 
perpetually  in  the  soul  of  this  distinguished  mis- 
sionary. 

4.  We  will  now  turn  our  attention  to  another 
trait  in  Paul’s  character  as  a Christian  Missionary, 
closely  connected  with  what  has  been  just  mention- 
ed, his  exclusive  devotedness  to  the  object  of  his 
mission,  and  his  indefatigable  industry  in  prosecut- 
ing it. 

Was  not  his  eye  single?  Was  he  not,  through 
the  whole  course  of  his  life,  subsequent  to  his  con- 
version, engrossed,  we  might  almost  say  perfectly, 
by  the  work  to  which  he  had  been  called?  Did  he 
not,  in  agreement  with  the  injunction  he  laid  on 


14 


Timothy,  give  himself  wholly  to  these  things?  What 
worldly  good  does  he  appear  at  any  time  to  have 
sought?  Did  he  mingle  at  all  in  projects  of  worldly 
ambition  or  schemes  of  avarice?  Was  he,  for  a day 
or  an  hour,  in  search  of  popularity,  of  splendor,  or 
of  ease?  We  discern  nothing  in  him  of  this  nature. 
And  his  declarations  respecting  himself,  especially 
considering  with  what  solemnity  they  were  uttered, 
are  certainly  entitled  to  confidence.  He  says,  “For 
neither  at  any  time  used  we  flattering  words,  as  ye 
know,  neither  a cloke  of  covetousness.  God  is 
witness.  Nor  of  men  sought  we  glory,  neither  of 
you,  or  yet  of  others,  when  we  might  have  been 
burdensome,  as  the  apostles  of  Christ.  Did  I make 
a gain  of  you,  by  any  of  them  that  I sent  unto  you? 
I desired  Titus,  and  with  him  I sent  a brother.  Did 
Titus  make  a gain  of  you?  Walked  we  not  by  the 
same  spirit?  Walked  we  not  by  the  same  rule?”  The 
love  of  popularity,  of  preferment,  in  the  higher,  but 
spurious  grades  of  the  sacerdotal  office,  of  indolence, 
of  luxurious  indulgence,  and  superlluous  riches,  the 
opposite  entirely  of  the  self-denial  of  the  Gospel, 
has  been,  and  continues  to  be,  to  a great  extent, 
the  disgrace  and  ruin  of  the  Christian  ministry. 
Nothing  of  this  is  to  be  seen  in  our  apostolic  mis- 
sionary. Never  indeed  does  he  designedly  take  an 
offensive  attitude.  Never  does  he  aim  to  draw 
persecution  on  himself  for  the  sake  of  the  honors 
and  the  rewards  of  martyrdom.  But  his  charge  he 
executes  with  a cautious  self-denial,  and  a most 
exemplary  purity. 


15 


His  industry  appears  to  have  corresponded  with 
the  singleness  of  his  purpose.  We  will  not  forget 
what  he  says  to  the  Ephesian  elders,  “Ye  yourselves 
know,  that  these  hands,  have  ministered  to  my 
necessities,  and  to  them  that  were  with  me.”  To 
the  believers  in  Corinth  he  says,  “Are  they  ministers 
of  Christ?  I speak  as  a fool.  1 am  more,  in  labors 
more  abundant — in  weariness  and  painful  ness; 
besides  those  things,  that  come  upon  me  daily,  the 
care  of  all  the  Churches.”  To  the  Thessalonians 
he  says,  “For  ye  remember,  brethren,  our  labor  and 
travel;  for,  laboring  night  and  day,  because  we 
would  not  be  chargeable  unto  any  of  you,  we 
preached  unto  you  the  Gospel  of  God.”  From  the 
account  given  of  him  in  the  Acts,  and  from  his  own 
writings,  he  appears  to  have  been  unceasingly 
engaged,  wearing  himself  down  in  the  labors  of  his 
mission,  scarce  giving  himself  an  hour  of  innocent, 
and,  as  we  should  say,  necessary,  relaxation. 

5.  Another  circumstance  deserving  notice,  in 
Paul’s  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  mission,  is  the 
manner  in  which  he  preached  the  Gospel. 

I do  not  refer  to  his  attitude  as  a preacher,  his 
gestures,  his  enunciation,  the  smoothness  of  his 
periods,  or  the  energy  and  pathos  with  which  he 
may  be  supposed  to  have  poured  out  his  inspirations. 
These,  it  is  confessed,  are  of  some  necessity,  at 
least  to  conciliate  the  estimate  of  fastidious  hearers. 
But  the  Holy  Spirit  has  not  thought  them  of  suffi- 
cient importance  to  make  them  a part  of  an  infallible 


16 


revelation.  Whether  Paul  excelled  in  these  attributes 
of  an  orator  we  know  not.  But  we  know  that,  in 
some  very  essential  points,  he  did  admirably  well 
in  his  manner  of  preaching.  We  know  that  he  was 
not,  “as  many  who  corrupted  the  word  of  God; 
but  as  of  sincerity,  but  as  of  God,  in  the  sight  of 
God,  spake  he  in  Christ.”  We  know  that  he  kept 
back  nothing  that  he  deemed  profitable  to  his 
hearers,  but  that  he  testified,  with  an  elevated  zeal, 
not  only  in  the  place  of  public  concourse,  but,  from 
house  to  house,  “repentance  towards  God,  and  faith 
towards  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.”  He  is  called  to 
address  all  descriptions  of  people,  and  to  combat 
ignorance,  prejudice  and  authority.  He  stands 
before  philosophers  and  kings;  and  he  never  forgets 
where  he  is  or  to  whom  he  is  speaking.  He  adapts 
his  instructions  to  the  capacities  and  condition  of 
all.  He  is  condescending  to  those  in  the  lower, 
and  respectful  to  those  who  are  in  the  higher,  ranks 
of  life.  He  is  at  once  modest  and  intrepid.  He  is 
the  gentleman,  at  the  same  time  that  he  is  the 
Christian  missionary.  So  self-possessed  was  he, 
so  dignified  in  his  address,  so  powerful  in  his 
reasonings,  and  so  pathetic  in  his  representations 
before  Felix  and  his  court,  that  Felix  trembled,  and 
could  stifle  his  alarms  only  by  the  dismissal  of  his 
prisoner.  On  a subsequent  occasion,  in  a public 
apology  before  Festus  and  Agrippa,  Paul,  growing 
warm  upon  his  subject,  and  appealing  to  the  knowl- 
edge which  Aggripa  had  of  the  prophets,  drew 


17 


from  him  the  confession,  “Almost  thou  persuadest 
me  to  be  a Christian.”  With  a promptitude,  and 
pertinency,  and  benignity  of  feeling,  which  could 
hardly  fail  to  subdue,  he  replied,  “Would  to  God, 
that  not  only  thou,  but  that  all  who  hear  me  this 
day,  were,  not  only  almost,  but  altogether,  such  as 
1 am  except  these  bonds.”  Before  the  court  of 
Areopagus,  in  Athens,  a stranger,  a Jew,  in  their 
hands,  and  at  their  disposal,  to  destroy  him  if  they 
shotdd  so  decide,  in  presence  of  the  magistrates  and 
philosophers,  he  undauntedly  and  powerfully  re- 
proves their  idolatry;  sets  before  them  the  character 
of  Jehovah  as  the  true  God,  the  author  of  nature, 
and  the  sole  object  of  religious  worship;  quotes 
from  their  own  authorities  in  support  of  his  doc- 
trines; and  enforces  the  truths  he  had  urged  by  the 
declaration,  that  though  in  time  past,  this  ignorance 
had  not  been  publicly  reproved  by  an  inspired 
messenger,  “God  now  commandeth  all  men  every 
where  to  repent;  because  he  hath  appointed  a day 
in  which  he  will  judge  the  world  in  righteousness 
by  that  man  whom  he  hath  ordained,  whereof  he 
hath  given  assurance  unto  all  men,  in  that  he  hath 
raised  him  from  the  dead.” 

He  is  scrupulously  regardful  of  what  is  due  to 
men  in  all  the  distinctions,  which  obtain  in  civil 
society;  of  which  his  letter  to  Philemon,  respecting 
his  servant  Onessimus,  is  a beautiful  example. 

In  things,  which  do  not  come  under  the  cogni- 
zance either  of  doctrine  or  of  law,  he  “became  all 
3 


13 


things  to  all  men,  that  he  might  by  all  means  save 
some.”  Let  us  remark, 

6.  The  patience,  the  equanimity  and  the  buoy- 
ancy of  spirit,  with  which  he  endured  that  series 
of  afflictions  which  attended  him. 

There  is  something  truly  admirable  in  the  manner 
in  which  he  speaks  of  his  sufferings.  He  is  not 
ashamed  to  detail  them  in  all  their  forms,  and  in 
their  whole  extent.  Never  mere  man  endured  so 
much,  that  is  ignominious  and  abusive.  Not  only 
were  his  deprivations  severe,  as  the  mere  conse- 
quence of  his  fidelity;  but  the  positive  sufferings 
brought  on  him  by  his  cruel  persecutors  were 
intolerable.  “In  stripes,”  says  he,  “above  measure, 
in  prisons  more  frequent,  in  deaths  oft.  Of  the 
Jews  five  times  received  1 forty  stripes,  save  one. 
Thrice  was  I beaten  with  rods.  Once  was  I 
stoned.  We  are  made  the  filth  of  the  world  and 
the  offscouring  of  .all  things.”  To  Timothy  he 
says,  “But  thou  hast  fully  known  my  doctrine, 
manner  of  life,  purpose,  faith — persecutions,  afflic- 
tions which  came  upon  me  at  Antioch,  at  Iconium, 
at  Lystra;  what  persecutions  I endured.  But  out 
of  them  all,  the  Lord  delivered  me.”  These 
afflictions,  brought  on  him  entirely  for  the  sake  of 
the  Gospel,  were  sustained  with  patience,  with 
undiminished  zeal,  with  a most  admirable  cheerful- 
ness and  elevation  of  spirit.  “For  which  cause 
we  faint  not;  but,  though  our  outward  man  perish, 
the  inward  man  is  renewed  in  strength  day  by  day. 


19 


For  our  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a moment, 
worketh  for  us  a far  more  exceeding  and  eternal 
weight  of  glory;  while  we  look,  not  at  the  things 
which  are  seen,  but  at  the  things  which  are  not 
seen;  for  the  things  which  are  seen  are  temporal, 
but  the  things  that  are  not  seen  are  eternal.”  He 
even  says,  “And  not  only  so,  but  we  glory  in 
tribulation  also,  knowing  that  tribulation  worketh 
patience,  and  patience  experience,  and  experience 
hope.”  And  again,  “Therefore  I take  pleasure  in 
infirmities,  in  reproaches,  in  necessities,  in  persecu- 
tions, in  distresses  for  Christ’s  sake.”  How  mightily, 
did  the  graces  work  in  the  heart  of  Paul  to  raise 
him  thus  above  that  series  of  most  severe  persecu- 
tions, which  perpetually  assailed  him?  Patience  in 
him  seemed  to  have  its  perfect  work.  Faith  in  him 
was  indeed  the  victory  which  overcometh  the 
world. 

7.  We  ought  not  to  omit  the  notice  of  his  entire 
contentment  with  those  scanty  supplies  for  the 
necessities  of  nature,  which,  in  addition  to  the 
product  of  his  own  labors,  he  received  from  the 
contributions  of  his  brethren. 

We  have  a remarkable  testimony  to  this  part  of 
his  character  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Philippians. 
“Not  that  I speak  in  respect  of  want;  for  I have 
learned,  in  whatsoever  state  I am,  therewith  to  be 
content.  I know  both  how  to  be  abased,  and  I 
know  how  to  abound:  every  where,  and  in  all 
things,  I am  instructed  both  to  be  full  and  to  be 


20 


hungry,  both  to  abound  and  to  suffer  need.  I can 
do  all  things  through  Christ  which  strengtheneth 
me.  Notwithstanding  ye  have  done  tvell  that  ye 
did  communicate  with  my  affliction.  For,  even  in 
Thessalonica,  ye  did  send  once  and  again  unto  my 
necessities.  Not  because  I desire  a gift;  but  I 
desire  fruit  that  may  abound  to  your  account.  But 
I have  all  and  abound;  I am  full,  having  received 
from  Epaphroditus  the  things  which  were  sent  from 
you,  an  odour  of  a sweet  smell,  a sacrifice,  accept- 
able, well  pleasing  to  God.”  Thus  his  labors, 
though  severe,  and  inducing  every  species  of  dis- 
tress, were  properly  gratuitous.  Thus  he  was 
satisfied  to  be  deeply  abased  in  regard  to  the  things 
of  this  world,  even  to  extreme  destitution.  He 
considered  himself  as  full,  and  abounding,  when 
common  necessaries  were  supplied  from  the  hand 
of  fraternal  charity.  How  consentaneous  this  with 
all  the  other  excellent  traits  in  his  missionary 
character!  And  how  amiably  unlike,  at  the  same 
time,  to  those  who  take  the  lead  in  the  affairs  of 
this  world!  Theirs  must  be  wealth,  splendor  and 
dissipation.  Even  ecclesiastics,  in  millions  of 
examples,  who  professed  to  be  subject  to  the  holy 
religion  which  shone,  with  so  much  moral  beauty, 
in  Paul,  and  even  to  be  public  teachers  of  it,  have, 
in  the  true  spirit  of  priestcraft,  and,  by  innumerable 
forms  of  imposition,  amassed  enormous  wealth,  and 
employed  it  to  purposes  of  worldly  parade  and 
luxury. 


21 


“The  grace  of  God  which  bringeth  salvation 
teacheth  us,  that,  denying  ungodliness  and  worldly 
lusts,  we  should  live  soberly,  righteously,  and 
godly,  in  this  present  world.”  Just  so, 

8.  Did  our  apostolic  missionary  live. 

“Herein,”  says  he,  “do  1 exercise  myself  to  have 

always  a conscience  void  of  offence  towards  God 
and  towards  men.  I therefore  so  run,  not  as 
uncertainly;  so  fight  I,  not  as  one  that  beateth  the 
air;  hut  I keep  under  my  body,  and  bring  it  into 
subjection,  lest  that,  by  any  means,  when  I have 
preached  to  others,  I myself  should  be  a cast-away.” 
He  appeals  to  the  converts  at  Thessalonica,  “Ye 
are  witnesses,  and  God  also,  how  holily,  and  justly, 
and  unblameably,  we  behaved  ourselves  among  you 
that  believe.”  Thus,  with  well  doing  he  put  to 
silence  the  ignorance  of  foolish  men;  commended 
himself  to  every  man’s  conscience  in  the  sight  of 
God;  took  away  occasion  from  those  who  sought 
occasion:  disarmed  his  adversaries,  and  adorned  the 
Gospel. 

9.  The  farther  remark  may  be  made  with 
respect  to  Paul,  that  he  was  a man  of  much  prayer. 

This  part  of  his  character  was  necessarily  less 
public,  than  some  other  parts.  But  it  comes  out  to 
view  with  sufficient  clearness  to  warrant  the  asser- 
tion that  he  was  greatly  distinguished  in  this 
respect.  He  says,  “God  is  my  witness,  whom  I 
serve  with  my  spirit  in  the  Gospel  of  his  Son,  that, 
without  ceasing,  I make  mention  of  you  always  in 


my  prayers.”  “For  what  thanks  can  we  render  to 
God  again  for  you,  for  all  the  joy  wherewith  we 
joy  for  your  sakes  before  our  God  night  and  day, 
praying  exceedingly  that  we  might  see  your  face 
and  perfect  that  which  is  lacking  in  your  faith.” 
Again,  “For  this  cause  I bow  my  knees  unto  the 
Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  he  would 
grant  you,  according  to  the  riches  of  his  glory  to  be 
strengthened  with  might  by  his  spirit  in  the  inner 
man.”  He  enjoins  it  upon  his  Ephesian  converts, 
“Praying  always,  with  all  prayer  and  supplication, 
and  watching  thereunto  with  all  perseverance.” 
Doubtless  that  which  he  enjoined  upon  others,  was 
carried  to  an  equal  extent,  into  his  own  practice. 
Whatever  the  ungodly  and  the  skeptical  may  suggest 
against  the  obligation  and  the  utility  of  prayer;  it  is 
perfectly  certain,  that  piety  will  always  be  inclined 
thus  to  maintain  a filial  intercourse  with  God;  and 
the  more  elevated  a man’s  piety  is,  the  more  will 
he  employ  himself  in  this  exercise. 

10.  One  thing  more  only  I deem  it  requisite  to 
mention  respecting  the  missionary  character  of 
Paul;  and  that  is,  his  deep  humility,  in  the  midst  of 
the  evidence  that  was  clearly  and  continually  before 
him  of  his  interest  in  the  covenant  favor  of  God,  of 
the  high  standing  he  held  in  the  estimate  of  all  the 
followers  of  Jesus,  and  of  his  amazing  success  in 
gaining  converts  to  his  Lord. 

Paul  had  evidence  of  his  unalterable  interesrin 
the  salvation  of  the  Gospel,  which  was  as  clear  to 


23 


him,  as  it  is  unquestionable  to  us.  He  always 
speaks  in  language  of  confidence,  with  respect  to 
his  own  saving  interest  in  Christ. 

His  success  in  preaching  the  Gospel  was  great. 
It  is  supposed,  that  there  were  half  a million  of 
Christians  before  the  termination  of  the  first 
century.  There  is  reason  to  presume,  that  Paul 
was  the  happy  instrument  of  the  conversion  of  a 
large  portion  of  them. 

His  influence  in  the  Church  was  pre-eminently 
great.  Yet  he  is  never  elated.  He  arrogates  nothing 
to  himself.  While  he  does  not  deny,  and  certainly 
it  did  not  become  him  to  deny,  his  apostolic  endow- 
ments and  authority,  he  places  himself  on  a level 
with  all  his  brethren.  He  is,  like  his  divine 
Master,  the  servant  of  all.  He  counts  himself,  he 
expressly  speaks  of  himself,  as  less  than  the  least 
of  all  saints.  He  declares  that  he  is  not  sufficient 
of  himself  to  think  any  thing  as  of  himself.  He 
refuses  to  glory.  He  even  says,  “God  forbid  that 
I should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.”  His  feelings  and  his  religious  habits  are 
in  agreement  with  his  instructions  to  Timothy. 
“And  the  servant  of  the  Lord  must  not  strive;  but 
be  gentle  unto  all  men,  apt  to  teach,  patient,  in 
meekness  instructing  those  that  oppose  themselves.” 
Upon  the  whole,  my  brethren,  we  have  an 
admirable  assemblage  of  evangelic  virtues  in  the 
missionary  character  of  Paul.  We  do  not  say,  that 
it  is  absolutely  perfect.  But  it  is  really  difficult  to 


24 


detect  in  it  any  intellectual,  moral,  or  official 
deficiency.  Thus  he  made  full  proof  of  his  minis- 
try, and  magnified  his  office.  Thus,  laboring  to  be 
accepted,  he  became  well  prepared  to  give  up  his 
account  with  joy. 

No  mere  man  is  so  much  an  object  of  admiration 
as  Paul.  No  man  ever  performed  such  deeds  of 
heroic  and  persevering  goodness.  No  man  ever 
achieved  so  much  that  is  truly  great.  He  was 
indeed  a burning  and  a shining  light.  The  benefits 
resulting  to  the  world  from  his  missionary  labors 
are  beyond  all  estimate.  They  have  passed  down 
the  current  of  ages.  They  have  spread  extensively 
over  the  world.  They  are  felt  deeply  by  ourselves. 
They  carry  a sanctifying  power  to  the  bosom  of 
every  Christian.  They  will  pass  down  the  ages 
that  are  to  follow,  and  spread  farther  and  farther 
and  farther,  till  they  pervade  the  entire  population 
of  the  globe.  They  will  contribute  mightily  to  the 
full  glory  of  the  millennium,  and  to  swell  the 
hosannas  of  the  highest  heaven. 

1.  From  this  delineation  of  the  missionary  char- 
acter of  Paul,  which  after  all  is  very  inadequate,  is 
it  not  an  obvious  inference,  that  the  Christian  relig- 
ion carries  with  it  decisive  evidence  of  its  divine 
original,  from  the  influence  it  has  upon  those  who 
are  unquestionably  and  most  conspicuously  its 
subjects. 

All  other  religions  not  only  fail  entirely  to  improve, 
but  powerfully  contribute  to  sink  into  deeper  and 


deeper  debasement,  the  human  character.  1 hey 
impart  no  light  to  the  understanding;  but  hold  it  in 
the  darkness  of  the  most  deceptive,  and  gloomy,  and 
guilty  superstitions.  They  do  not  form  the  heart 
to  one  sentiment  of  genuine  virtue;  but  strengthen 
its  depravity  by  a powerful  indurating  influence. 
They  do  not  lead  their  votaries  one  step  in  the  way 
of  a holy  practice,  but  stimulate  them  to  pursue  all 
iniquity  with  greediness.  An  imperfect  morality 
may,  in  a few  instances,  be  discerned  among  some 
of  the  philosophers  of  Grecian  and  Roman  antiquity. 
But  not  a single  example  is  presented  of  disinterest- 
ed, patient,  and  persevering  effort  to  lead  men  from 
sin  and  wretchedness  to  holiness  and  heaven. 
Indeed  they  had  not  one  single  desirable  object 
before  them;  nor  one  impulse  of  a properly  useful 
tendency.  The  way  of  peace  they  did  not  know. 
Their  wisdom  was  foolishness.  Their  magnanimity 
was  the  pride  of  a false  philosophy.  Their  virtue 
was  a spurious  patriotism,  which  sought,  regardless 
of  the  dictates  of  humanity,  the  aggrandizement  of 
one,  at  the  expense  of  the  blood  and  treasure  of 
other  nations. 

The  Christian  religion  is  peculiar  and  most 
propitious  in  its  influences.  It  raises  man  from  a 
spiritual  death  to  a spiritual  life;  from  the  vainest 
superstitions  to  the  ennobling  knowledge,  love,  and 
worship,  of  the  living  God;  from  a detestable 
selfishness  to  the  most  liberal  views,  and  the  most 
useful  pursuits.  It  changes  the  carnal,  into  the 
4 


26 


spiritual,  man.  It  imbues  its  subject  with  kind 
affections,  and  spreads  those  affections  abroad  upon 
the  most  elevated  objects.  For  the  sake  of  the 
everlasting  happiness  of  a fellow-man,  of  a miserable 
creature,  whom  the  pride  of  the  world  would  pass 
by  with  neglect,  perhaps  with  contempt,  of  an 
enemy  whom  hate  would  destroy,  it  watches,  and 
labors,  and  suffers,  and  prays,  is  intrepid  in  the 
greatest  dangers,  and  is  willing  to  die  any  moment. 
In  short,  it  formed  such  a character  as  that  of  Paul. 
Is  then  this  religion  a contrivance  of  man?  Is  it  not 
certainly  from  God? 

2.  Does  not  the  survey,  which  has  been  taken 
of  the  character  of  Paul,  go  to  a complete  vindication 
of  the  doctrines  of  grace  against  the  objection,  that 
they  subvert  obligation  and  have  a tendency  to 
produce  a lax  and  careless  manner  of  living? 

It  cannot  be  denied  without  putting  an  affront 
upon  reason  and  trampling  evidence  in  the  dust, 
that  Paul,  more  than  any  other  sacred  writer,  insists 
upon  these  doctrines  as  the  truth  of  God,  the 
essential  articles  of  the  Gospel  of  our  salvation. 
No  man  ever  believed  them  more  firmly.  No  man 
could  have  been,  no  man  is,  and  probably  no  man 
will  be,  at  least  till  the  millennium,  more  under  the 
practical  influence  of  them  than  Paul.  What  was 
their  influence  in  fact  upon  him?  Did  they  make 
him  an  idler  in  his  vocation?  Did  they  paralyze 
his  moral  sensibilities  and  make  him  careless  of  his 
duty?  lie  is  before  us  in  his  true  character.  And 


27 


a better  mere  human  character  never  was  formed. 
Let  even  a captious  liberality  judge.  His  life  is 
decisive  proof  that  these  doctrines  are  according  to 
godliness,  and  do,  and  must  ever,  act  most  propitious- 
ly upon  the  hearts  and  lives  of  all  who  sincerely 
embrace  them.  “Do  wre  then  make  void  the  law 
through  faith?  Yea,  we  establish  the  law.” 

3.  Does  not  the  view  which  we  have  taken  of 
the  missionary  character  of  Paul  completely  vindi- 
cate, and  strongly  recommend,  the  office  and  the 
labors  of  the  Christian  missionary,  generally  con- 
sidered? 

Can  an  intelligent  Christian,  can  a friend  to  the 
intellectual,  moral,  social,  and  immortal  interests  of 
man;  can  any  one,  who  is  not  as  great  a fanatic  in 
the  cause  of  a skeptical  liberality,  as  Simeon,  the 
Stylite,  was  in  his  notions  of  expiatory  and  merito- 
rious penance,  think  lightly,  or  speak  in  disparage- 
ment, of  the  service  of  the  faithful  missionary?  Can 
a man,  with  the  thousandth  part  of  a grain  of 
generous  feeling  towards  his  fellow-men  in  the 
wretchedness  of  heathenism,  fail  to  attach  his 
decided  approbation  to  this  office?  Surely,  in  the 
example  of  Paul,  it  has  the  strongest  recommenda- 
tions. 

4.  Let  the  excellent  character  of  Paul,  as  an 
apostolic  and  Christian  missionary,  the  immeasur- 
able value  of  the  service  he  performed  as  such,  and 
the  incalculable  benefits  that  result  from  it  to 
a ruined  world,  have  its  proper  influence  upon  us, 


28 


my  brethren,  to  stimulate  us  to  augmented  efforts 
in  the  cause  of  missions. 

Let  us,  in  this  great  and  godlike  enterprize,  come 
forward  with  a stronger  zeal  to  the  help  of  the  Lord 
against  the  mighty.  Let  us  labor  to  embody  in  our 
future  selves  all  the  moral  excellencies  of  our 
apostolic  missionary.  The  cause,  for  the  sake  of 
which  he  resigned  so  readily  all  his  temporal  expec- 
tations, to  which  he  was  so  exclusively  devoted, 
upon  which  his  affections  acted  in  so  strong  and 
tender  a manner,  and  in  which  he  so  inflexibly 
persevered,  is  the  same  precisely  in  ours,  that  it 
was  in  his,  hands.  It  is,  as  it  was  then,  and  ever 
will  be,  the  cause  of  humanity,  of  truth,  of  virtue, 
of  salvation,  of  God.  It  embraces  all  that  is 
valuable  to  man  for  time  and  for  eternity.  Whoever 
embarks  in  this  cause,  then,  must  do  it  with  all  his 
heart.  He  must  let  his  lukewarmness  open  itself 
on  some  temporal  concern.  Let  him  be  a coward 
every  where  else;  but  let  him  fight  manfully  here. 
Let  him  be  parsimonious  in  regard  to  all  other 
demands;  but  let  him  be  very  bountiful  here. 

We  rejoice  greatly  in  the  resuscitation,  within 
thirty  years  past,  of  the  primitive  missionary  spirit. 
But,  taking  the  missionary  character  of  Paul  for 
our  standard  of  estimation,  we  must  confess  that, 
after  all,  this  is  a day  of  small  things.  The  Chris- 
tian Church  moves  but  slowly.  The  most  zealous 
are  as  if  they  were  halting  between  two  opinions. 
Our  contributions  are  as  if  Mammon  had  stronger 


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hold  of  our  affections  than  the  Lord  of  glory;  as  if 
things  temporal  were  more  in  our  eye  than  things 
eternal. 

We  do  not  complain  of  our  missionaries.  They 
are  the  most  beloved  of  our  brethren;  and  we  con- 
fess that  Christianity  has  strong  recommendations 
from  the  virtues  they  display,  and  the  part  they  act. 
But  we  wish  them  all  to  grow  to  the  stature  of 
Paul.  We  wish  them  to  imbibe  more  largely  his 
excellent  spirit.  We  wish  them  to  be  as  forward 
in  the  race,  and  as  valiant  in  the  fight,  as  he. 

We  wish  our  young  brethren,  who  are  candidates 
for  this  holy  employment,  to  fix  their  mark  by  the 
standard  of  Paul;  to  take  up  their  cross  with  an 
equal  self-denial;  and  to  be  determined  in  the  name 
of  their  Almighty  leader,  to  run  this  race  with  an 
equal  speed. 

Let*  instructors  of  youth  in  our  Theological  semi- 
naries keep  this  model  of  missionary  excellence 
before  their  eyes,  and  direct  their  efforts  faithfully 
to  bless  the  world  with  missionaries  of  this  order. 
Let  them  assiduously  labor  to  store  the  minds  of 
their  pupils  with  correct  views  of  Christianity,  as  a 
revealed  system  of  truth:  but  be  at  least  equally 
concerned  to  inspire  them  with  lofty  views,  with 
zeal,  with  an  untiring  patience,  and,  with  a holy 
heroism. 

“The  harvest  is  plenteous;  but  the  laborers  are 
few.”  Let  us  ever  pray  the  Lord  of  the  harvest, 
that  he  would  send  forth  such  laborers  into  his 


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harvest.  O,  that  one  might  become  a thousand, 
land  and  ocean  be  traversed,  the  darkest  places  of 
the  earth  be  explored,  and  the  Gospel  be  preached 
as  faithfully,  as  Paul  preached  it,  to  every  creature. 
Then  we  might  expect  to  hear  the  triumphant, 
universal  shout,  “The  kingdoms  of  this  world  are 
become  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  of  his  Christ, 
and  he  shall  reign  forever  and  ever.” 


I 


